CANADA STOCKS-TSX set for firmer open as resources, gold gain

TORONTO, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Toronto's main stock index
looked set to open slightly higher on Wednesday, boosted by a
rise in prices for gold and other commodities, which could
offset investor caution after the U.S. Federal Reserve opened
the door to more monetary easing.

* U.S. stock index futures fell on Wednesday on concerns
about the inflation outlook and as the Federal Reserve inched
closer to expanding its quantitative easing policy, sending
gold prices to a record high. [.N]

* European shares fell on Wednesday, with banks lower on
lingering concerns over the pace of the global economic
recovery following the latest Federal Reserve's assessment.
[.EU]

* Asian markets were mixed with the Nikkei down 0.4
percent, but losses were stemmed by expectations that a strong
yen rise would bring further Japanese intervention.

* Oil rose above $75 a barrel on Wednesday, recovering some
of the previous session's losses, supported by a weaker dollar
but ongoing U.S. demand doubts limited gains. [O/R]

* Gold rose for a third day on Wednesday to hit record
highs above $1,290 an ounce after the Federal Reserve's signal
that it was prepared to pump fresh cash into the economy hurt
the dollar and whet investor appetite for bullion. [GOL/]

* Copper firmed on Wednesday on the back of a weaker dollar
but the market looked heavy after recent gains and investors
were reluctant to press higher in the absence of Chinese
players and fresh impetus. [MET/L]

* Forzani Group Ltd FGL.TO: The retailer said on Tuesday
sales rose in its sporting goods stores opened at least a year
during the back-to-school period compared with the same weeks
of 2009. [ID:nN21184287]

* Research In Motion RIM.TO: India is in talks with RIM
to gain access to BlackBerry corporate e-mails after securing
access to instant messages sent via the devices, a senior
government source said on Tuesday. [ID:nSGE68L03I]

--- The Blackberry maker may use a developers' conference
next week to announce plans for a tablet computer to compete
with Apple and Amazon, the Wall Street Journal said.
[ID:nN21183657]

* Gaz Metro LP GZM_u.TO: The company said it received
approval from a court in Quebec for its previously announced
plan to convert the public ownership structure of the company
into a new dividend-paying corporation. [ID:nSGE68K0MQ]

ANALYST RECOMMENDATIONS

Following is a summary of research actions on Canadian
companies reported by Reuters. [RCH/CA]